The General Certificate of Education (GCE) 2026 written exams have been postponed following the unauthorized circulation of confidential papers on social media. Minister of Secondary Education Nalova Lyonga announced the decision on June 6, 2026, extending the exam period originally scheduled from June 8 to June 18. The new examination window is set for June 22 to July 2, 2026.

The postponement affects all remaining written GCE exams, while technical and professional exams will proceed as planned. Authorities have opened a formal investigation to trace the source of the leak, with digital evidence already handed over to security agencies for analysis.

False claims and security concerns

In the aftermath of the announcement, a counterfeit document circulating online falsely suggested the Minister had reversed the decision. The Ministry confirmed this document was fabricated and reiterated that the rescheduling remains in effect. Candidates are advised to report to their assigned centers this Monday as scheduled.

The recurrent issue of exam leaks—locally dubbed “l’eau”—has long plagued Cameroon’s education system, particularly for high-stakes exams like the GCE and Baccalaureate. Social platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram frequently serve as channels for disseminating leaked questions, sometimes accompanied by answer keys, often within hours of exam start times.

Strengthening exam integrity

Investigations into these breaches have exposed vulnerabilities in the examination supply chain, from paper selection and validation to printing and distribution. Reports indicate involvement from educators and administrative staff in facilitating leaks. To combat fraud, authorities have intensified security protocols, including the adoption of QR codes and digital scanning technologies.